[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n As we begin the 66th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, under the priority theme of \u201cempowering women and girls in the context of climate change and disaster risk reduction\u201d and the review theme of \u201cwomen\u2019s economic empowerment in the changing world of work\u201d, I would like to firstly acknowledge the pioneering role played by the Commission in promoting women\u2019s rights, shaping global standards on gender equality, and fostering global awareness of women\u2019s issues.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to recollect that at its very first session, which took place in February 1947, the Commission declared as one of its guiding principles \u2013 \u201cto raise the status of women, irrespective of nationality, language or religion, to equality with men in all fields of human enterprise, and to eliminate all discrimination against women in the provision of statutory law, in legal maxims or rules, or in the interpretation of customary law\u201d.<\/p>\n However, to date no country has fully achieved equality and empowerment for women and girls.<\/p>\n The overall progress has not just been slow and uneven, but major gaps remain with new challenges emerging.<\/p>\n My dear friends,<\/p>\n Climate change is exacerbating both the risk and the impacts of disasters globally.<\/p>\n The human rights consequences of such disasters are apparent in the form of political instability, growing inequality, declining food and water security, and increased threats to health and livelihoods.<\/p>\n Women, girls, men and boys are affected differently by climate change and disasters, with many women and girls experiencing greater risks, burdens and impacts.<\/p>\n In many contexts, gender inequalities limit the control that women and girls have over decisions governing their lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite women being disproportionately affected by climate change, they play a crucial role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.<\/p>\n Women have the knowledge and understanding of what is needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions and to come up with practical solutions.<\/p>\n But they are still a largely untapped resource.<\/p>\n Restricted land rights, lack of access to financial resources, training and technology, and limited access to political decision-making spheres often prevent them from playing a full role in tackling climate change and other environmental challenges.<\/p>\n Furthermore, the higher levels of mortality and morbidity among women and girls, during and following climate disasters, are a result of the inequalities that they face in gaining access to adequate health care, nutrition, sanitation, education, housing, employment, and social protection.<\/p>\n Failure to engage in gender-responsive disaster planning and implementation often results in protective facilities that neglect the specific accessibility needs of diverse groups of women, including women with disabilities, older women, and indigenous women.<\/p>\n In camps and temporary settlements, the lack of physical security, as well as the lack of safe and accessible infrastructure and services, results in increased levels of gender-based violence against women and girls.<\/p>\n Well-designed disaster risk reduction and climate change initiatives that provide for the full and effective participation of women can advance substantive gender equality and the empowerment of women, while ensuring that sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and climate change objectives are achieved.<\/p>\n The right of women to participate at all levels of decision-making must be guaranteed in climate change policies and programmes.<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Although climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes may provide new employment and livelihood opportunities, failure to address the structural barriers faced by women in gaining access to their rights will increase gender-based inequalities and intersecting forms of discrimination.<\/p>\n It is in this context that I am glad that this year\u2019s CSWs review theme is about \u201cwomen\u2019s economic empowerment in the changing world of work\u201d.<\/p>\n Dear Friends,<\/p>\n Women in recent years have entered the labour market in large numbers. Free trade together with the rapid expansion of global supply chains have undoubtedly created unprecedented opportunities for women to access paid work.<\/p>\n However, this expansion has often been on unequal and highly exploitative terms.<\/p>\n Gender based discrimination and segregation in the labour market, as well as weak regulations, have served to confine women to jobs that are low paid, and of poor quality in terms of working conditions and access to social protection.<\/p>\n Women\u2019s exploitation in the labour market is further compounded by their disproportional share of unpaid care responsibilities.<\/p>\n The result is that women\u2019s unpaid household and care work subsidizes the economy for free.<\/p>\n Recognition is growing worldwide that our economic system needs profound reforms.<\/p>\n We need to ensure that human rights form the ethical framework for macroeconomic policies and review their impact on women.<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n As we recognize this year\u2019s Commission on the Status of Women, let\u2019s commit to challenge discriminatory social norms and gender stereotyping that underpin inequality in women\u2019s work.<\/p>\n Young female climate activists have helped to spur a global environmental movement.<\/p>\n Women leaders have spearheaded the Paris climate agreement.<\/p>\n And women in developing countries are transforming their communities by adopting sustainable practices.<\/p>\n While climate change may have an unfair impact on women, it has also led them to gradually seize the levers of power in a moment of intense uncertainty, to rewrite the rules of society when the current systems of power and economy no longer seem reasonable.<\/p>\n As women gain more representation within decision-making bodies, Member States need to commit to develop gender action plans that combine climate action with efforts to improve gender equality.<\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/p>\n Going forward, let\u2019s design progressive tax regimes and institute gender responsive budgeting that enhance women\u2019s economic rights and access to public services while redressing discrimination and inequality.<\/p>\n We need to promote women\u2019s access to formal financial institutions and saving mechanisms, promote laws and policies to prevent and protect women against harassment and other forms of violence in the world of work.<\/p>\n We need to integrate the needs and rights of women refugees, migrant workers, rural and indigenous women and women with special needs in employment policies and social and health services.<\/p>\n We need to institute family friendly policies that enable women to balance work with their caring responsibilities and recognize and value the contribution of unpaid care work to the economy. I have made a small attempt at the UN by ensuring that improved lactation rooms are made available to working women diplomats and UN staff.<\/p>\n Finally, efforts need to be made to promote women\u2019s leadership, voice and agency including through engaging with trade unions, civil society, and feminist organizations in economic policy making processes and spaces at all levels.<\/p>\n Dear Friends,<\/p>\n Before, I conclude, it\u2019s important for me to mention that just four women have been elected President of the United Nations General Assembly in its 76 years. However, no woman has ever been chosen as the Secretary-General. This needs to be corrected.<\/p>\n The UN cannot call for implementation of gold standards throughout the world as far as gender equality and women\u2019s empowerment is concerned but not implement this standard at home.<\/p>\n I personally would lead from the front calling for the next Secretary-General to be a women. Join me in this clarion call.<\/p>\n I wish the 66th session of the CSW all success.<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Opening Remarks at the 66th Commission on the Status of Women <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":353,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p> I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p> Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p> A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the UN and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-260795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n